Liquid-level gauge



June 2,8, 1927.

l.. A. MAPEL v LIQUID LEVELv GAUGE Filed Oct. 25. 1920 f I Wm wmm\\\\ uw I x l l Patent-ed v.lune 28, 1927.

l 1,633,673 I narran-straus PATENT crease.

LEWIS A. M APEL,

ANCE ooMrnNY,

F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, .ASSIGNOR T0 AUTOMATIC APPLI- OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, CORPORATION 0F MISSOURI.

LIQUID-LEVEL GAUGE.v

application .ined october 25, 192i. serialqno. 419,552.

This invention relates to `liquid `level -anges of the type which are used for g1v1-ng indication of the height, depth or quantity of liquids or the contents of liquid containers.

My invention comprises equipment for use a part of indicating designed to give indication of the height,

depth orfquantity of ar body of liquid, or' the contents oi' liquid containers.

The present invention comprises means for maintaining proper communication between the liquid, the height, depth or quantity of which is to be indicated by the indicating device, anda continuous column of liquid communicating with said indicating device, means for preventing lossor decrease of the liquid in a second continuous column of liquid from the strument, and means for maintaining an cqualized condition above the level of the liquid the height, depth or quantity of which is to be indicated and above the level of the liquid in the equipment which is comprised in the present invention.

The present invention also comprises means vfor replacing any loss or decrease of the liquid that might occur in the equipment which is the subject-matter of this invention, and an object of the present invention `is to provide an efficient and satisfactory equip,- ment for obtaining the results mentioned in a satisfactor manner. v

Another o ject of the invention is to provide equipment for an indicating instrument of the character .mentioned which may be conveniently'installed and yplaced in condition for use and which will be maintained in such condition continuously and automatically and as an incident to use of the instrument Without/the 'necessity of removal or replacement of any of the parts thereofso long as the parts ,remain unbroken and otherwise in proper condition for use.

Another object of the invention is to prpvide meansfor maintaining thel source of f one of the' columns ofliquid ofthe indicating linstrument in direct communication With the conditions above the level of the "(.liquid the height, depth or quantity of which indicating device of the, in-` body 'ofL is to be indicated, by 4means of which loss or decrease of liquid .in the column of liquid i`s normally prevented, and by means of which any lossor decrease of liquid that might occur is replaced,` and by means of which both columnsof liquid are maintained sub- ]ect to the same4 conditions existing in the instrument and in the liquid receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for preventing the effects of the surging and disturbance of the body of liquid from being transmitted to or from affecting the indicating device, leaving the indicating device'under the influence of the Weight of undisturbed liquid in' the receptacle s0 that the indicating device will at -all times give a correct indication -of .the

height, depth or quantity of the liquid in the receptacle whether the liquid be ina distui-bed or lsurging' condition, or not.

Another object of the invention is to'provide novel and efficient means for replacing when applied to an automobile to indicate i the approximately exact height, depth or quantity of liquid'fuel in the supply tank,

'the indicating device being located on the instrument board and the present invention being embodied in the instrument. Fig. 2 is a vertical broken sectional Viewl of the present invention.

Fig; 3 is a view showing the lowerend of the base of the fittingincluded in the present invention.

Fig. 4 is Van enlarged sectional view shmving a form of` the device which maybe used to minimize the loss or decrease of liquid that; might occur in the chamber coustitut# ing lthe source of one of the columns of liquid in connection with the indicating device, and to replace any such loss or decrease. of the liquid that might occur.

As'shown in Fig. 1, which is a diagrammatic view of the indicating instrument applied to anautomobile, the indicating device loo A issupported in a position convenient for? observationand, as shown, this may be on llO lll

- restrict or limit myself to any'particular o r y specific uses of the invention.

The important features ot the present invention are more clearly shown in F igs. 2,

' 3 and 4. As shown in Figs. 2 and .3, the' base 1 of the fitting is secured to a flange 2 which is in connection with the tank B. A pipe 3 from the indicating device lacommunicates with a passage 4 through the base of the fitting'. rl`he passage 4 extends through-the i base of the fitting and opens into a tube 5 Which, as shown, may be secured to an eX- tended part of the base 1, Within the tankl B. As more clearly shown in Fig. l, the

tube 5 extends through the liquid in the' tank B and (Fig. 2) near its lower end is provided with an opening 6 which permits the liquid in the tank B to enter the vtube 5 so long` as there is any appreciable quantity or depth of liquid inthe tank.

An opening 7 is provided near thel upper end of the tube 5. The provision of the openings G and 7 in the tube 5` permits'tlie level of the liquid in thetube to correspond with the level of the liquid inthe tank, sol that the indicating device-`Awill atl'ord a correct indication of the height, depthor quantitywof liquid contained in the tank. The opening 6 may be providedl with an appropriately arranged filter 8 which will prevent any sediment or other foreign sub- 'lstances from passing into the tube 5 and entering the passages leading to the indicating device. I do not limit myself :to 'a l,colistruction in which the filter 8 muSt.esse11- tiall) vbe used, since it is apparent that if vthe liquid'is entirely clear and free from sediment and other foreign substances the filter will not be required. The provision of the opening 7 at the-upper end of the tube 5 permits the air to .pass out of' the tube as the tube becomes filled With'liquid throu h the opening 6 during the filling ofthe tan and it also permits air to enter the tube as the. level of :the liquid in the tanky `isy lowered, thereby maintaining the level of the l level oi ,the liquid outside of the tube and within-the tank. The level of the liquidI within the tube therefore rvaries vvith the ff level of the liquid inthe tank, sothat a correct indication vot the height, depth or Q quantity of liquid in the tan ivillbe given by the indicating device at all times] The tube prevents surging. landagitation `0f the liquid Wiesn the tube,

the liquid inthe tank be in agitation. This the tank from affecting the indicating device, and leaves'the indicating device properly under the influence of the liquid at the source ot thepassages 3 and 4, corresponding to'the normal height or depth of the liquid in the tank when said liquid is not in agitation.

A passage 9 is in communication With a pipe 10' leading to the indicating device A.

,baid passage 9 continues through the base 1 ot' the iitting and isin communication With a stand pipell enclosed Within the tube 5. The lower ond of the stand cured to the base l of the fitting and the upper end ot' said tube is attached to and communicates with the chamber V12, the bottom ot' which is fitted to the tube 5 which serves to support said chamber and the parts in connection therewith. The chamber 12 is designed to contain liquid which is at the source of the liquid filling the stand pipe l1' and the pipe 10. The relative area of the chamber l2 to the combined area of the passage through the tube 11, the 'passage 9 and the pipe 10 is such that the height ofthe liquid in the chamber 12 is not materially changed by maximum expansion or contraction ot' the liquid in the pipe 10 and its outlet.

A vent 131is provided near the `upper end of the chamber 12, said vent opening outwardly to a portion of the wall of the chamber which is so arranged and designed that it` will not retain liquid therein sutticient to 4seal the vent and prevent air from being excludedfrom the chamber or prevent liquid from entering'the chamber in the manner presently described. The upper end of the chamber is provided with an opening 1 4 even thoughy pipe 11 is set which admits liquid into the chamber to re- A 14 is at the bottom of a funnel orcollector' 15 which serves to cause liquid @accumulated from immersion or splash of the liquid in the tank to pass through the opening 14 `into the chamber. The liquid in the chamber will be maintained ata constant level because of the presence of the vent 13 which permits the air to pass from the chamber as the liquidenters the chamber from the funnel and which also permits any excess of liquid to pass from the :tunnel 15, through the opening 14 and through the vent 13.

This is a highly important feature of the invention, since in order to obtain best results it necessary that Y'the liquid Within the chamber 12 be maintained at a constant level. l

' As shown, the funnell may be equipped ivith means for gathering liquid and permitting the liquid to'iioiv through the opening 14; As show-n, the .gatherer may bev in the c and' excess quantities ot liquid pass from the ously explained, so

the vent.13 as previthat the liquid in the chamberl is'maintained at a constant level..

It Will heseen vthat in the construction and arrangement above described, the liquid in the pipe 10 has its source through the passage 9 in the stand pipe 11 in the liquid in the chamber 12, which is above the level of the body of liquid injthe tank B, and which is in direct communication Withihe. conditions above the level ot the `liquid in the tank. v

It is knownthat liquid confined ina closed tank causesl saturation of the air in the tank above the liquid and by the provision of the' vent or opening in the chamber above the level ofthe liquid therein, the saturated air in thetank is kept in direct communication with the interior of the chamber 12, thereby preventing loss or decrease of the liquid in Said chamber.V This maintains the same condition above the levelof the liquid in the chamber 12 as exists above the level of the liquid in the tank, and prevents changes such as barometric changes, changes in telnperat-ure, changes in pressure, or other changes from differently affecting the conditions in the chamber 12 and in the tank B. In the construction shown in Fig. 4, a reservoir 17 at the upper end of the chamber 12 has a nozzle 18 extending into the chamber and terminating at a level at which it is desired to maintain the liquid in said chamber. The liquid in the chamber p. 12, when atthe proper level, seals the lower end of the nozzle 18 and thus prevent-s flow of the liquid from the reservoir 17 until some loss or decrease'of liquid occurs in the chamber 12. When there is any loss or decrease ot liquid in the chamber 12 air from said chamber isadmitted through the nozzle 19 into the reservoir 17. The air passing into the reservoir 17 rises above the level of the liquid therein and displaces a sufficient quantity of the liquid to fill the chamber 12 until the lower end of the nozzle 18 is sealed. 'Ihereupon the passage of the air into the reservoir and the passage of the liquid from the reservoir is discontinued, until some loss or decrease of liquid again occurs in the chamber 12, whereupon the operation is automatically repeated.

A valve 19 is provided and may be used to close the opening from the reservoir` into the nozzle 18 when it is desired to till the reservoir. It is to be understood that when chamber 12 through to the existence ot the conditions rendering such operations desirable or useful.

lVhen the liquid in the reservoir 17 becomes exhausted'the same/ may be replenished by closing the valve 19 and removing y the plug 20. Liquid is then delivered into the reservoir, after'which the plug 20 is replaced and the valve 19 opened, and the device placed in use.

It will be seen that in accordance with this invention means is provided for establishing a datum level for the indicating device andr that this datum level is maintained uniform..

The stand pipe or reservoir 11 and its enlargement 12v maintains a column of liquid,

Which in the specific embodiment shown and described, maintains on the diaphragm or element a constant pressure, While the connection from the tank to the indicating device applies to the diaphragm or element a pressure varying. in accordance with the head of the liquid in the' tank. Accordingly the pipe 11 and its connections to the instrument establishes va datum level, that is a level from which the readings ot the instrument are taken. This datum level is. not

only established but is also maintained uniform, by the provision of means which operates automatically to maintain thecolumn in the pipe at a uniform height. This automatic means comprises in Figure 2' the cup or collector 15 which is positioned to receive the splashing liquid in connection with the spring 16 which forms a gathering element engaging the top of the tank to gather the liquid and direct it into the cup.

In Figure 4 the automatic means comprises the reservoir 17 andits connection 18 which automatically maintains the level of the liquid in the pipe4 11 and its enlargement 12 uniform. Accordingly the dlaphragm or element of lthe indicating device isalways responsive to the varying head of the liquid in the tank.

In the construction of Figure 2 the stand pipe has an enlargement provided with 'a c up or collector which has a flared opening but has a restricted dport 14 adapted to admit the splashing liqui to the pipe in order to restrict the evaporation of the liquid from the pipe. This collector also has an overflow 13 in order` to fix the datum level. In'

accordance with this invention, however, the pipe -rises Within the tank while the collector or other automatic means for maintaining the datum level uniforml automatically, is above the normal level of the `lliquid in the tank so as to maintain on the diaphragm or element a constant head greater than the normal varying head ot the liquid. Accordingly the maintenance of the established datum level is attained in a convenient lli() lili and effective manner without the use of float chambers or other mechanically moving parts. n

From the, foregoing description it will be seen that my invention accomplishes all of its intended objects and that it is capable ot a wide range oi uses. rlhe utility of the invention is not restricted to the specific purposes mentioned, nor to a connection with the liquid fuel tank of an automobile. rlhe Jinvention may be used with equal eiliciency for various purposes.

l do not restrict myself to unessential features or limitations, but ll contemplate all desirable variationsin the construction and arrangement of the parts that may be within the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat i claim and desire to secure by lietters Patent, is

L'An' apparatus tor indicating the head ot a liquid in a vehicle tank wherein the liquid splashes while the vehicle is in `motion, comprising, an indicating device connected with the tank and having an element which is responsive to the varying head of the liquid in the tank, means cooperating with and tor establishing a datum level for said indicating device, including a cup arranged within the tank and spaced from the wail thereof, and a liquid gathering element arranged to engage the wall oi the tank and leading to said cup in order to maintain such datum level,

2. An apparatus for indicating the head ot a liquid in a vehicle tank wherein the liquid splashes while the vehicle is in mon tion, comprising, an indicating device connected with the tank and having an element which is responsive to the varying head of the liquid in the tank, means cooperating with and for establishing adatum level for said indicating device, including a pipe rising within lthe tank and in which a column ot liquid is adapted to stand, and a liquid gathering element'arranged to engage the top ot the tank and draining to said pipe in o rder to maintain such datum level.

il. An apparatus tor indicating the head of a liquid in a vehicle tank wherein the liquid splashescwhile thevehicle is in motion, comprising.l an indicating device connected with the tank and having an element which,is responsive to the varying head of the li uid in the tank, means for establishing a Cdatum level for said indicating device, including a pipe rising within the tank and in which a column of liquid is adapted to stand, the terminal of said pipe being 'formed to catch the splashing liquid, and a liquid gathering element arranged to engage the wall of the tank and cooperating with said terminal in order to maintain such datum level.

.and adapted to engage the top of the tank in" order to maintain the datum level.

5. An appara-tus for indicating the head of a. liquidI in a vehicle tank wherein the liquid splashesv while the vehicle is in motion,

comprising, any indicating device connected` with the tank and having an element which is responsive tothe varying head of the liquid in the tank, means for establishing a datum level for said indicating device, including a pipe rising Withinthe tank and in which a column of liquid is adapted to stand, a cup at the upper end ot' said pipe and having 'a restricted connection therewith, and a liquid gathering-element in said cup andl adapted toengage the top of the tank in order to maintain such datum level.

6. An apparatus for indicating the head of a liquid in. a Vehicle tank wherein the liquid splashes while the vehicle is in motion, comprising, an indicating device connected with the tank and having au element which is responsive to the varying head of the liquid in the tank, means for establishinga datum level for said indicating dev-icc,

including a pipe rising withinL the tank and having an overflow so as to rovide a liquid column of a predetermined eight, a cup at the upper end of said pipe, and a liquid gathering element in said cup and adapted to engage the top or the tank in order to maintain such datum level. f

Y., An apparatus for indicating` the head of a liquid in a vehicle tank wherein the liquid splashes while the vehicle is in mo. tion, comprising, an indicating device connected'wi'th the tank and having an element which is responsive to the varying head of the liquid in the tank, means tor establishing a datum level for said indicating device, including a pipe rising within the tank and having an overflow so as to provide a liquid column of a predetermined height, a cup at the upper end of said pipe and having a restricted connection therewith, and a liquid gathering elcn'ient in said cup and adapted to engage the top of the tank in order (o maintain such datum level.

Lidl/VIS A. MA PEL.

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